Due to injuries and unavailability, Littlemore only had 12 on the team sheet until 1 p.m., when Russ Hixon received the news that forward Darren Warne was heading their way to help bring up the numbers.

 

Aylesbury had only arrived with 16 but agreed to a 13-a-side game to get things going. Both sides donned different shades of pink for their match shirts, and with the autumnal sunshine bearing down on the players and spectators, it was game on.

 

Receiving the ball from kick-off, Littlemore established themselves quickly into the game, showing repeated threatening attacks into the Aylesbury half of the pitch, and controlling much of the first 20 minutes. Had it not for the defensive efforts of the experienced Aylesbury no 4, Littlemore would have certainly had 1 or 2 early scores. But all was not lost. From halfway, debutant Hayden Massingham received the ball on his wing and set off on a weaving run amongst the scattered Aylesbury defence and covering a huge amount of ground, before managing to get the pass away to Centre Jack Massey to touch down under the posts. Hayden was also designated kicker for the game and stepped, showing off his footballing skills to nail the conversion 7-0

 

Aylesbury didn’t seem phased. From the restart, Aylesbury managed to get a grip of their game and have much of the possession and territory for the remainder of the first half. If it wasn’t for their poor efforts at the line-out, and continued turnover from Lock Darren Warne, it would have certainly been Aylesbury leading going into half-time.

 

Despite some heroic defensive efforts on their own try line from the Littlemore players, it would be an unfortunate and untimely mistake at the scrum that gifted Aylesbury their first Try.

From the restart, Massingham was instructed to use his speed and chase the kickoff. For what will probably end up as the try of the season, his timing was impeccable. A missed catch from the Aylesbury receiver, the ball ricocheted into the hands of Massingham for him to have a clear run in under the sticks for his first try! With the sideline supporters still cheering him, he stepped up and slotted his second conversion before the halftime whistle. 14-7

 

Half time chat was positive, but it was agreed that we needed to switch back on quickly if we wanted to keep a grip on the game. An instruction that was soon forgotten at the kick-off, as ill-discipline and repeat offences, quickly saw Littlemore having to defend their own try line again.

 

A tap penalty saw the giant Aylesbury no 4 steamroll over the Littlemore defender, and touch down for their second try of the game.

In an opportunity to level the scores, the Aylesbury kicker sent the ball wide of the posts.14-12

 

With no substitutions, the Littlemore lads had to dig deep, and dig deep they did!

 

Holding their own in the scrum, continuing to control the line outs, backs getting good runs with the ball in hand, and turnovers at the breakdown, it was a great second half for Littlemore.

 

Jack Massey & Massingham soon found themselves linking up again, with Massey spotting the space in behind, and putting in a well-balanced kick for Massingham to chase. It was a footrace to the ball for him and his opposite number, (which turned out to be the unfortunate receiver of the kick-off for Massingham first) but Massingham’s pace was enough for him to dot the ball down for his second of the day. This time unfortunately, the conversion attempt just fell short, but Littlemore found themselves with a good lead for the remainder of the game and knew they couldn’t afford to lose concentration.

 

Aylesbury knew time was running out, and literally threw everything they had in their armoury to try and bag another score. Even with fresh legs on, it was not meant to be. Mishandling and turnover possession was to be their downfall.

19-12 at the final whistle, with a team performance, and Man of the Match performance for Hayden Massingham on debut.

– DW